Hi

Hi I'm Lauren and I'm new here. I have autism, I was diagnosed in my early teens. I'm 18 now and life is tricky. I'm anxious a lot and I'm having to try and balance functioning and managing my anxiety and autistic struggles. Recently my mums become chronically ill and this is taking some processing too.

I'm in to drawing, music and collecting things. Oh and I love animals. Sometimes I think animals are better company than most people lol. They're easier to talk to for sure.

I'm hoping I'll get on ok here. Talking to people, even online makes me anxious. I've no idea why but it's always been like this for me. Be nice to meet others who are like me and get what it's like being autistic.

Have a chill day x.

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  • Hello.

    Talking to people, even online, can make you anxious because you can't predict what will happen. You don't know them. Although I still get unexpected responses from people I do know.

    The thing is to be confident and have a go, which you have done.BlushOnce you start it can snowball.

    It will get easier. Your views are equally valid. I hope you enjoy it.

    I used to be so scared of saying the wrong thing

    Just don't be discouraged by unexpected responses. I'd analyse them to death to figure out what I'd missed and assume I was wrong. But I do it much less now and just ask them if I'm bothered by it.

    Animals are often easier to read. 

    I'm sorry about your mum, it's additional stress.

    What do you like to collect?

  • Hi! 

    Thanks for explaining this, it's something that was bothering me a little because I was like why am I even anxious about this? It's only online chat . But actually that's pretty big. I think it is anyway. 

    It's big for me. 

    I struggle with engaging with others. In person is worst but I'm not great at it as a whole. I worry in case I come across as horrible or if I'm too weird or say too much. 

    I used to be so scared of saying the wrong thing

    This is literally me all the time! 

    Thanks for your understanding. It means a lot and it's reassuring and a comfort Slight smile 

    It's really sad with mum but she's doing ok. It's just a bit hard to watch happen but I'm good. Take it each day really that's how I get through stuff. 

    I love collecting dolls, Pokémon cards, Simpsons stuff and I've got a huge collection of cds.

  • You can say as much as you like. You might notice some of the posts on here are longer than you would typically see on the internet. Others are short. It's not a competition, just say what you want.

    I would t worry about being weird. Everyone has their thing.

    I only wash my hands in cold water and I double check the front door is locked so hard I broke the lock. I don't like having hot and cold things on the same plate. Etc 

  • I don't like having hot and cold things on the same plate.

    Now that you mention it, I think I've always felt uneasy about that, too. Lasagne and salad? Sure, but on separate plates (who likes limp lettuce?). And I'll eat all the lasagne first, because I like my hot food to be hot.

    Does that mean we're both weird, or does it mean that it's not weird any more?

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  • I don't like having hot and cold things on the same plate.

    Now that you mention it, I think I've always felt uneasy about that, too. Lasagne and salad? Sure, but on separate plates (who likes limp lettuce?). And I'll eat all the lasagne first, because I like my hot food to be hot.

    Does that mean we're both weird, or does it mean that it's not weird any more?

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